Flying High with The King

Our attention grabbed instantly by a captivating video, we grab a seat on the nearest bench for a better view.

The film includes highlights of Elvis's Convair 880. The gigantic airplane being transported to its spot across the street from Graceland Mansion, was not an easy task.

Workers riding atop the enormous airplane while being towed down Elvis Presley Boulevard was a sight to behold. The catching of the street lights and holding them out of the way, was amusing, to say the least.

Elvis paid approximately $250,000 for this 96 passenger commercial aircraft on April 18, 1975. He reportedly spent around $800,000 customizing it into a 28-passenger luxury liner, and proudly naming it, "Lisa Marie."

He chose white, with blue and red accents, for the exterior. He topped it off with his personal TCB logo and lighting bolt (Taking Care of Business in a Flash) painted on the tail.

The interior is pure luxury, right down to the private bedroom, which contains a queen-size bed, with a large gold-plated seat-belt and Elvis buckle. The living area consists of a conference table, six leather recliners, suede sofas, leather-top game tables, sitting areas, three televisions, videotape player, and quadraphonic stereo. The two bathrooms are exquisite. Both containing sinks with brass fixtures and 24 K gold flecks that were imported from Spain.

Elvis purchased his second plane in 1975 for $899,702 - a ten passenger white Lockheed JetStar with red and blue accents.

The, "Hound Dog Two," a sporty four engine 10 passenger aircraft, is decked-out in blue carpeting, off-white overhead, with green with yellow seating. This smaller JetStar has a private lavatory, three tables, a stereo system, and standing room throughout the plane.

As we step out of the plane we know its time to come out of the clouds, and back into reality, as we make our way back to our car.

It's time to say good-by to Graceland with all its splendor and the memories that go with it.

Graceland slowly disappears into the background as we slip our new purchase in the CD player.

The theme from 2,001 begins, as Elvis continues on in our hearts, as we travel back down Elvis Presley Boulevard.

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